Letter from CCA

(“A Letter from CCA” is a sharing message of the CCA General Secretary to update member churches and ecumenical friends about the life and works of CCA. It is electronically published every Wednesday.)

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ!

CCA team recently concluded its visit in Europe by meeting ecumenical partners in UK.

From Sweden the CCA team went on to meet with ecumenical organisations in Norway including Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), Norwegian Council Mission and Council of Churches in Norway, Aeropagos.

In Denmark, Dan Mission, Dan Church Aid, National Council of Churches in Denmark and Council on International Relations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark were visited.

In Germany, Bread for the World, Church Development Service (Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst) EED and Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland (EMW) were visited. The team spent the weekend in Hamburg and attended morning service with local congregations.

UK was the last country CCA team visited, where we had fruitful discussions with staff of Christian Aid and other churches. In Britain and Ireland, due to time limitations, we could not visit other partners but we hope to meet them when another opportunity arises.

Many challenges for the churches and ecumenical movement such as poverty alleviation, peace and conflict transformation, HIV/AIDS and human trafficking were discussed with the partners.

Migrant issue in Europe: From Norway to the end of our visit in UK, migrant issues seemed to be another emerging concern in Europe. There are many reasons including poverty, political unrest in home countries, and a hope for a better living in Europe, which makes people migrate from their home countries. Recently on 23 October, 2007, the EU introduced a new immigrant-friendly proposal, called the ‘blue card’ plan aimed at attracting highly skilled immigrants like doctors, nurses and engineers to Europe. The skilled migrants are needed to help fill holes in the job market, particularly in the information technology, tourism and science sectors.

The immigrants have also added new dimensions to the church and community life in this context. According to the Church News from Denmark, about ten native churches in Copenhagen are proposed to be closed. On the other hand, the immigrant churches are keen to take over the building and facilities after the closure. “We have grown from zero members in 1999 to over 200 and are still growing. It would be the answer to our prayers if we could buy or rent a church” Pastor Tony Achemepong of the First International Baptist Church said. Therefore the current trend of native churches being closed down and emerging of immigrant churches has been the subject of discussion among the churches and communities.

Wilhelmsburg Community Center in Hamburg: In Germany Rev. Martin took us to Wilhelmsburg Community Center run by its director Rev. Friederike Raum-Blocher. We were surprised to hear that the community is one of the poorest in Germany. People form various countries like Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Africa and Afghanistan lived there. The center provides space for sharing stories, getting counseling and receiving basic assistance. The center also provides food for the people once a week.

Rev. Maren von de Hyde introduced us to another service center project, which will be jointly sponsored by the local government and the church. The center is under renovation and will start working early next year. The project will be another challenging service by the churches in Germany, addressing the often ignored issues.

Climate change: The impacts from the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are one of the major issues of concern to churches. The outcomes of these climatic changes are severe and are growing with great intensity everyday. 

The issue of climate change and global warming was discussed with different organisations and churches in Europe. And it was shared how as faith communities we have the moral obligation to curb emissions and mitigate ting the impact of climate change on our environment and our own lives. As we are responsible for the world we live in and God’s creation. 

Where is CCA? During eighteen days of the visit, we shared various aims, visions and mission of CCA with our ecumenical partners and friends. The challenging questions raised by the partners in Europe included how CCA is really rooted in Asia? How do member churches own CCA and move towards a self-support approach? What are the visible and measurable visions of CCA and how they can be achieved?

Ecumenical partners also appreciated the role of CCA in bringing issues affecting people at local and regional level and making them part of the global debate. It was emphacised that life-stories of people at grassroots need to be shared by CCA. The challenges faced by CCA were also shared and discussed.
There are many positive stories and impressions from this trip to be shared with you all. Our mission trip report will contain more details and reflections about this visit. 
The CCA team once again wants to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to all the partners for their warm hospitality and open-minded discussions and their continuing journey to support CCA and churches in Asia.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

No. 43/31 October 2007